Los Angeles - In years past, those who coached and managed Carlos Gomez - as well as fans who watched - wondered if he'd ever stop underachieving offensively and show some improvement.

Don't look now but Gomez is doing it this season.

Gomez has been one of the Brewers' offensive stars this season, batting .338 through the team's first 23 games with a .376 on-base percentage. Compare that to his career marks of .247 and .294 entering this season.

"You certainly mature every year you play," manager Ron Roenicke said Sunday before the Brewers' 2-0 loss to the Dodgers. "I know he's always trying to get better in the things he does. We've talked about the spring trainings how he has been so good and then the season starts and he's a different guy.

"I don't know if this is what he was doing in the spring, mixed in with what he was comfortable with. You see the old 'Gomey' at times, but consistently, with what he's doing, I think he's got a good chance to stay productive all year.

"He's looking at the ball better. He's still going to chase (bad pitches) like everybody does."

Some folks thought the Brewers were gambling considerably when they signed Gomez to a three-year, $14 million contract extension in spring training, considering his underachieving past. And Gomez did get off to a slow start, batting .162 through the first week.

But Roenicke doesn't believe the new deal affects the way Gomez plays.

"Any time you give a guy a contract like that to a guy who maybe hasn't had a track record of all these good years it's always a gamble," Roenicke said. "But what (GM) Doug (Melvin) and (owner) Mark (Attanasio) are looking at is the numbers for guys who play center field now.

"The negative is that people say (a player) gets comfortable and doesn't work as hard. I can't ever believe that would happen with 'Gomey.' I don't think that's his personality. I think his personality is 'I'm going to prove that I deserve this contract. I know I've got it so I don't have to press, but I'm going to relax and play hard and show them I'm worth this.'

"Carlos' last thing (to continue improving) is getting on base more because of his speed. You want him on base. He's got the ability if he continues to do what he's doing now to be one of the premier centerfielders."

Henderson focuses on command: Since taking over as the Brewers' bullpen closer, Jim Henderson has converted all six of his save opportunities, which is the bottom line for that role.

Henderson has run up his pitch count at times, however, including three outings of 23 or more pitches. In his last two save situations entering Sunday, Henderson threw 51 pitches, though his count grew unnecessarily Saturday against the Dodgers after third baseman Yuniesky Betancourt committed an error.

Roenicke, who had a conversation with Henderson in his office on Sunday morning, said his interim closer needs to sharpen his command.

"He's not throwing the way he can throw," Roenicke said. "Balls are getting away from him at times. He's still doing the job, but he was more efficient with his pitches last year than he is right now.

"He's going full counts with almost everybody. (His outings) are not real clean. If he keeps throwing this many pitches, I can't use him (multiple days in a row)."

Henderson threw 196 pitches in his first 11 outings, covering 11 innings, for an average of 18 pitches per inning.

"I need to do a better job of throwing more strikes," he said. "The last two or three outings, I've had a lot of 3-2 counts. It's more important to get ahead of hitters and put the pressure more on them.

"I need to take one pitch at a time and don't look too far ahead. With my delivery, how funky it is, it's all about timing. If one little thing is off with my delivery, it causes the ball to go up and away from lefties. I need to make sure my arm is in the right position and that I'm going toward the plate.

"The positive is that even though I haven't been as sharp as I can be I've gotten the job done."

Narveson progressing: Left-hander Chris Narveson, on the disabled list since April 7 with a sprained left middle finger, had the splint removed Saturday and was allowed to play catch for the first time since the injury.

Narveson kept his middle and ring fingers taped together for support but said it felt good to toss a baseball again.

"It was just playing catch but it felt good," he said. "Now, I'll be able to move forward and do some long tossing before I get back on the mound."

Narveson said it will be two weeks or more before he's allowed to throw off a mound, then he'll have to get back into pitching shape and throw in some minor-league games.

Key day for Ramirez: Aramis Ramirez continues to make progress in his recovery from a sprained left knee, but Tuesday looms as a key day. Ramirez will run the bases for the first time since his injury, which could be the final step in returning to action.

"That's a big step," said Ramirez, who has been on the DL since suffering the injury on April 5. "We'll know a lot more after that."

Hart rejoins club: Corey Hart rejoined the club so he could head back to Milwaukee and continue his physical rehab work there as he recovers from late-January knee surgery. He is on the 60-day DL and can't return to action until the end of May.

"He feels more part of the team, and we all like having him around," Roenicke said.

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